1
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Walker RL, Hornicek FJ, Duan Z. Transcriptional regulation and therapeutic potential of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) in sarcoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 226:116342. [PMID: 38848777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Sarcomas include various subtypes comprising two significant groups - soft tissue and bone sarcomas. Although the survival rate for some sarcoma subtypes has improved over time, the current methods of treatment remain efficaciously limited, as recurrent, and metastatic diseases remain a major obstacle. There is a need for better options and therapeutic strategies in treating sarcoma. Cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is a transcriptional kinase and has emerged as a promising target for treating various cancers. The aberrant expression and activation of CDK9 have been observed in several sarcoma subtypes, including rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chordoma. Enhanced CDK9 expression has also been correlated with poorer prognosis in sarcoma patients. As a master regulator of transcription, CDK9 promotes transcription elongation by phosphorylation and releasing RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from its promoter proximal pause. Release of RNAPII from this pause induces transcription of critical genes in the tumor cell. Overexpression and activation of CDK9 have been observed to lead to the expression of oncogenes, including MYC and MCL-1, that aid sarcoma development and progression. Inhibition of CDK9 in sarcoma has been proven to reduce these oncogenes' expression and decrease proliferation and growth in different sarcoma cells. Currently, there are several CDK9 inhibitors in preclinical and clinical investigations. This review aims to highlight the recent discovery and results on the transcriptional role and therapeutic potential of CDK9 in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Walker
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Papanicolaou Cancer Research Building, 1550 N.W. 10(th) Avenue, Miami, FL 33136. USA
| | - Francis J Hornicek
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Papanicolaou Cancer Research Building, 1550 N.W. 10(th) Avenue, Miami, FL 33136. USA
| | - Zhenfeng Duan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sarcoma Biology Laboratory, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Papanicolaou Cancer Research Building, 1550 N.W. 10(th) Avenue, Miami, FL 33136. USA.
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2
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Aoi Y, Shilatifard A. Transcriptional elongation control in developmental gene expression, aging, and disease. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3972-3999. [PMID: 37922911 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The elongation stage of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is central to the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental cues in metazoan. Dysregulated transcriptional elongation has been associated with developmental defects as well as disease and aging processes. Decades of genetic and biochemical studies have painstakingly identified and characterized an ensemble of factors that regulate RNA Pol II elongation. This review summarizes recent findings taking advantage of genetic engineering techniques that probe functions of elongation factors in vivo. We propose a revised model of elongation control in this accelerating field by reconciling contradictory results from the earlier biochemical evidence and the recent in vivo studies. We discuss how elongation factors regulate promoter-proximal RNA Pol II pause release, transcriptional elongation rate and processivity, RNA Pol II stability and RNA processing, and how perturbation of these processes is associated with developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Aoi
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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3
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Miller CLW, Warner JL, Winston F. Insights into Spt6: a histone chaperone that functions in transcription, DNA replication, and genome stability. Trends Genet 2023; 39:858-872. [PMID: 37481442 PMCID: PMC10592469 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Transcription elongation requires elaborate coordination between the transcriptional machinery and chromatin regulatory factors to successfully produce RNA while preserving the epigenetic landscape. Recent structural and genomic studies have highlighted that suppressor of Ty 6 (Spt6), a conserved histone chaperone and transcription elongation factor, sits at the crux of the transcription elongation process. Other recent studies have revealed that Spt6 also promotes DNA replication and genome integrity. Here, we review recent studies of Spt6 that have provided new insights into the mechanisms by which Spt6 controls transcription and have revealed the breadth of Spt6 functions in eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine L W Miller
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Laboratory of Genome Maintenance, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James L Warner
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Fred Winston
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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4
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Ellison MA, Namjilsuren S, Shirra M, Blacksmith M, Schusteff R, Kerr E, Fang F, Xiang Y, Shi Y, Arndt K. Spt6 directly interacts with Cdc73 and is required for Paf1 complex occupancy at active genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:4814-4830. [PMID: 36928138 PMCID: PMC10250246 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Paf1 complex (Paf1C) is a conserved transcription elongation factor that regulates transcription elongation efficiency, facilitates co-transcriptional histone modifications, and impacts molecular processes linked to RNA synthesis, such as polyA site selection. Coupling of the activities of Paf1C to transcription elongation requires its association with RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Mutational studies in yeast identified Paf1C subunits Cdc73 and Rtf1 as important mediators of Paf1C association with Pol II on active genes. While the interaction between Rtf1 and the general elongation factor Spt5 is relatively well-understood, the interactions involving Cdc73 have not been fully elucidated. Using a site-specific protein cross-linking strategy in yeast cells, we identified direct interactions between Cdc73 and two components of the Pol II elongation complex, the elongation factor Spt6 and the largest subunit of Pol II. Both of these interactions require the tandem SH2 domain of Spt6. We also show that Cdc73 and Spt6 can interact in vitro and that rapid depletion of Spt6 dissociates Paf1 from chromatin, altering patterns of Paf1C-dependent histone modifications genome-wide. These results reveal interactions between Cdc73 and the Pol II elongation complex and identify Spt6 as a key factor contributing to the occupancy of Paf1C at active genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell A Ellison
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | | | - Margaret K Shirra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Matthew S Blacksmith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Rachel A Schusteff
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Eleanor M Kerr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Fei Fang
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yufei Xiang
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Karen M Arndt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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5
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Stein CB, Field AR, Mimoso CA, Zhao C, Huang KL, Wagner EJ, Adelman K. Integrator endonuclease drives promoter-proximal termination at all RNA polymerase II-transcribed loci. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4232-4245.e11. [PMID: 36309014 PMCID: PMC9680917 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) pausing in early elongation is critical for gene regulation. Paused RNAPII can be released into productive elongation by the kinase P-TEFb or targeted for premature termination by the Integrator complex. Integrator comprises endonuclease and phosphatase activities, driving termination by cleavage of nascent RNA and removal of stimulatory phosphorylation. We generated a degron system for rapid Integrator endonuclease (INTS11) depletion to probe the direct consequences of Integrator-mediated RNA cleavage. Degradation of INTS11 elicits nearly universal increases in active early elongation complexes. However, these RNAPII complexes fail to achieve optimal elongation rates and exhibit persistent Integrator phosphatase activity. Thus, only short transcripts are significantly upregulated following INTS11 loss, including transcription factors, signaling regulators, and non-coding RNAs. We propose a uniform molecular function for INTS11 across all RNAPII-transcribed loci, with differential effects on particular genes, pathways, or RNA biotypes reflective of transcript lengths rather than specificity of Integrator activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad B Stein
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew R Field
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Claudia A Mimoso
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - ChenCheng Zhao
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kai-Lieh Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Eric J Wagner
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Karen Adelman
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Ludwig Center at Harvard, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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6
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Iketani S, Hong SJ, Sheng J, Bahari F, Culbertson B, Atanaki FF, Aditham AK, Kratz AF, Luck MI, Tian R, Goff SP, Montazeri H, Sabo Y, Ho DD, Chavez A. Functional map of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease reveals tolerant and immutable sites. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1354-1362.e6. [PMID: 36029764 PMCID: PMC9365866 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease (3CLpro) is an attractive therapeutic target, as it is essential to the virus and highly conserved among coronaviruses. However, our current understanding of its tolerance to mutations is limited. Here, we develop a yeast-based deep mutational scanning approach to systematically profile the activity of all possible single mutants of the 3CLpro and validate a subset of our results within authentic viruses. We reveal that the 3CLpro is highly malleable and is capable of tolerating mutations throughout the protein. Yet, we also identify specific residues that appear immutable, suggesting that these may be targets for future 3CLpro inhibitors. Finally, we utilize our screening as a basis to identify E166V as a resistance-conferring mutation against the clinically used 3CLpro inhibitor, nirmatrelvir. Collectively, the functional map presented herein may serve as a guide to better understand the biological properties of the 3CLpro and for drug development against coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Iketani
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seo Jung Hong
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Sheng
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Farideh Bahari
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bruce Culbertson
- Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fereshteh Fallah Atanaki
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arjun K Aditham
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander F Kratz
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria I Luck
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruxiao Tian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen P Goff
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hesam Montazeri
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yosef Sabo
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - David D Ho
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandro Chavez
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
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7
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Iketani S, Hong SJ, Sheng J, Bahari F, Culbertson B, Atanaki FF, Aditham AK, Kratz AF, Luck MI, Tian R, Goff SP, Montazeri H, Sabo Y, Ho DD, Chavez A. The Functional Landscape of SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.06.23.497404. [PMID: 35860222 PMCID: PMC9298129 DOI: 10.1101/2022.06.23.497404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) as the etiologic agent of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has drastically altered life globally. Numerous efforts have been placed on the development of therapeutics to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. One particular target is the 3CL protease (3CL pro ), which holds promise as it is essential to the virus and highly conserved among coronaviruses, suggesting that it may be possible to find broad inhibitors that treat not just SARS-CoV-2 but other coronavirus infections as well. While the 3CL protease has been studied by many groups for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, our understanding of its tolerance to mutations is limited, knowledge which is particularly important as 3CL protease inhibitors become utilized clinically. Here, we develop a yeast-based deep mutational scanning approach to systematically profile the activity of all possible single mutants of the SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro , and validate our results both in yeast and in authentic viruses. We reveal that the 3CL pro is highly malleable and is capable of tolerating mutations throughout the protein, including within the substrate binding pocket. Yet, we also identify specific residues that appear immutable for function of the protease, suggesting that these interactions may be novel targets for the design of future 3CL pro inhibitors. Finally, we utilize our screening results as a basis to identify E166V as a resistance-conferring mutation against the therapeutic 3CL pro inhibitor, nirmatrelvir, in clinical use. Collectively, the functional map presented herein may serve as a guide for further understanding of the biological properties of the 3CL protease and for drug development for current and future coronavirus pandemics.
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8
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Mohamed AA, Vazquez Nunez R, Vos SM. Structural advances in transcription elongation. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 75:102422. [PMID: 35816930 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is the first step of gene expression and involves RNA polymerases. After transcription initiation, RNA polymerase enters elongation followed by transcription termination at the end of the gene. Only recently, structures of transcription elongation complexes bound to key transcription elongation factors have been determined in bacterial and eukaryotic systems. These structures have revealed numerous insights including the basis for transcriptional pausing, RNA polymerase interaction with large complexes such as the ribosome and the spliceosome, and the transition into productive elongation. Here, we review these structures and describe areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah A Mohamed
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. https://twitter.com/AMohamed_98
| | - Roberto Vazquez Nunez
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. https://twitter.com/rjareth
| | - Seychelle M Vos
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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9
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Lemon LD, Kannan S, Mo KW, Adams M, Choi HG, Gulka AOD, Withers ES, Nurelegne HT, Gomez V, Ambrocio RE, Tumminkatti R, Lee RS, Wan M, Fasken MB, Spangle JM, Corbett AH. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae model and screen to define the functional consequences of oncogenic histone missense mutations. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6585874. [PMID: 35567477 PMCID: PMC9258546 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Somatic missense mutations in histone genes turn these essential proteins into oncohistones, which can drive oncogenesis. Understanding how missense mutations alter histone function is challenging in mammals as mutations occur in a single histone gene. For example, described oncohistone mutations predominantly occur in the histone H3.3 gene, despite the human genome encoding 15 H3 genes. To understand how oncogenic histone missense mutations alter histone function, we leveraged the budding yeast model, which contains only 2 H3 genes, to explore the functional consequences of oncohistones H3K36M, H3G34W, H3G34L, H3G34R, and H3G34V. Analysis of cells that express each of these variants as the sole copy of H3 reveals that H3K36 mutants show different drug sensitivities compared to H3G34 mutants. This finding suggests that changes to proximal amino acids in the H3 N-terminal tail alter distinct biological pathways. We exploited the caffeine-sensitive growth of H3K36-mutant cells to perform a high copy suppressor screen. This screen identified genes linked to histone function and transcriptional regulation, including Esa1, a histone H4/H2A acetyltransferase; Tos4, a forkhead-associated domain-containing gene expression regulator; Pho92, an N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein; and Sgv1/Bur1, a cyclin-dependent kinase. We show that the Esa1 lysine acetyltransferase activity is critical for suppression of the caffeine-sensitive growth of H3K36R-mutant cells while the previously characterized binding interactions of Tos4 and Pho92 are not required for suppression. This screen identifies pathways that could be altered by oncohistone mutations and highlights the value of yeast genetics to identify pathways altered by such mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laramie D Lemon
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sneha Kannan
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kim Wai Mo
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Miranda Adams
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Haley G Choi
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alexander O D Gulka
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Elise S Withers
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Valeria Gomez
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Reina E Ambrocio
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Rhea Tumminkatti
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Richard S Lee
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Morris Wan
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Milo B Fasken
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jennifer M Spangle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anita H Corbett
- Department of Biology, Emory University , Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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10
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The Novel Protease Activities of JMJD5–JMJD6–JMJD7 and Arginine Methylation Activities of Arginine Methyltransferases Are Likely Coupled. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030347. [PMID: 35327545 PMCID: PMC8945206 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The surreptitious discoveries of the protease activities on arginine-methylated targets of a subfamily of Jumonji domain-containing family including JMJD5, JMJD6, and JMJD7 pose several questions regarding their authenticity, function, purpose, and relations with others. At the same time, despite several decades of efforts and massive accumulating data regarding the roles of the arginine methyltransferase family (PRMTs), the exact function of this protein family still remains a mystery, though it seems to play critical roles in transcription regulation, including activation and inactivation of a large group of genes, as well as other biological activities. In this review, we aim to elucidate that the function of JMJD5/6/7 and PRMTs are likely coupled. Besides roles in the regulation of the biogenesis of membrane-less organelles in cells, they are major players in regulating stimulating transcription factors to control the activities of RNA Polymerase II in higher eukaryotes, especially in the animal kingdom. Furthermore, we propose that arginine methylation by PRMTs could be a ubiquitous action marked for destruction after missions by a subfamily of the Jumonji protein family.
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11
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Connell Z, Parnell TJ, McCullough LL, Hill CP, Formosa T. The interaction between the Spt6-tSH2 domain and Rpb1 affects multiple functions of RNA Polymerase II. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 50:784-802. [PMID: 34967414 PMCID: PMC8789061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved transcription elongation factor Spt6 makes several contacts with the RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) complex, including a high-affinity interaction between the Spt6 tandem SH2 domain (Spt6-tSH2) and phosphorylated residues of the Rpb1 subunit in the linker between the catalytic core and the C-terminal domain (CTD) heptad repeats. This interaction contributes to generic localization of Spt6, but we show here that it also has gene-specific roles. Disrupting the interface affected transcription start site selection at a subset of genes whose expression is regulated by this choice, and this was accompanied by changes in a distinct pattern of Spt6 accumulation at these sites. Splicing efficiency was also diminished, as was apparent progression through introns that encode snoRNAs. Chromatin-mediated repression was impaired, and a distinct role in maintaining +1 nucleosomes was identified, especially at ribosomal protein genes. The Spt6-tSH2:Rpb1 interface therefore has both genome-wide functions and local roles at subsets of genes where dynamic decisions regarding initiation, transcript processing, or termination are made. We propose that the interaction modulates the availability or activity of the core elongation and histone chaperone functions of Spt6, contributing to coordination between RNAPII and its accessory factors as varying local conditions call for dynamic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaily Connell
- Dept of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine 15 N Medical Drive, Rm 4100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Timothy J Parnell
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Laura L McCullough
- Dept of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine 15 N Medical Drive, Rm 4100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Christopher P Hill
- Dept of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine 15 N Medical Drive, Rm 4100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tim Formosa
- Dept of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine 15 N Medical Drive, Rm 4100, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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12
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Maudlin IE, Beggs JD. Conditional depletion of transcriptional kinases Ctk1 and Bur1 and effects on co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. RNA Biol 2021; 18:782-793. [PMID: 34705599 PMCID: PMC8782173 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1991673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
From yeast to humans, pre-mRNA splicing occurs mainly co-transcriptionally, with splicing and transcription functionally coupled such that they influence one another. The recruitment model of co-transcriptional splicing proposes that core members of the transcription elongation machinery have the potential to influence co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we tested whether the transcription elongation kinases Bur1 and Ctk1 affect co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly and pre-mRNA splicing in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In S. cerevisiae, Ctk1 is the major kinase that phosphorylates serine 2 of the carboxy-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, whilst Bur1 augments the kinase activity of Ctk1 and is the major kinase for elongation factor Spt5. We used the auxin-inducible degron system to conditionally deplete Bur1 and Ctk1 kinases, and investigated the effects on co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. Depletion of Ctk1 effectively reduced phosphorylation of serine 2 of the carboxy-terminal domain but did not impact co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly or pre-mRNA splicing. In striking contrast, depletion of Bur1 did not reduce phosphorylation of serine 2 of the carboxy-terminal domain, but reduced Spt5 phosphorylation and enhanced co-transcriptional spliceosome assembly and pre-mRNA splicing, suggesting a role for this kinase in modulating co-transcriptional splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella E. Maudlin
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jean D. Beggs
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Kõivomägi M, Swaffer MP, Turner JJ, Marinov G, Skotheim JM. G 1 cyclin-Cdk promotes cell cycle entry through localized phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II. Science 2021; 374:347-351. [PMID: 34648313 PMCID: PMC8608368 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba5186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell division is thought to be initiated by cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) inactivating key transcriptional inhibitors. In budding yeast, the G1 cyclin Cln3-Cdk1 complex is thought to directly phosphorylate the Whi5 protein, thereby releasing the transcription factor SBF and committing cells to division. We report that Whi5 is a poor substrate of Cln3-Cdk1, which instead phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II subunit Rpb1’s C-terminal domain on S5 of its heptapeptide repeats. Cln3-Cdk1 binds SBF-regulated promoters and Cln3’s function can be performed by the canonical S5 kinase Ccl1-Kin28 when synthetically recruited to SBF. Thus, we propose that Cln3-Cdk1 triggers cell division by phosphorylating Rpb1 at SBF-regulated promoters to promote transcription. Our findings blur the distinction between cell cycle and transcriptional Cdks to highlight the ancient relationship between these two processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mardo Kõivomägi
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Georgi Marinov
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jan M. Skotheim
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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14
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CDK9 keeps RNA polymerase II on track. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5543-5567. [PMID: 34146121 PMCID: PMC8257543 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03878-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), is essential for transcription of most protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). By releasing promoter-proximally paused RNAPII into gene bodies, CDK9 controls the entry of RNAPII into productive elongation and is, therefore, critical for efficient synthesis of full-length messenger (m)RNAs. In recent years, new players involved in P-TEFb-dependent processes have been identified and an important function of CDK9 in coordinating elongation with transcription initiation and termination has been unveiled. As the regulatory functions of CDK9 in gene expression continue to expand, a number of human pathologies, including cancers, have been associated with aberrant CDK9 activity, underscoring the need to properly regulate CDK9. Here, I provide an overview of CDK9 function and regulation, with an emphasis on CDK9 dysregulation in human diseases.
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15
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Abstract
More than 30% of genes in higher eukaryotes are regulated by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) promoter proximal pausing. Pausing is released by the positive transcription elongation factor complex (P-TEFb). However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs and whether phosphorylation of the carboxyl-terminal domain of Pol II is involved in the process remains unknown. We previously reported that JMJD5 could generate tailless nucleosomes at position +1 from transcription start sites (TSS), thus perhaps enable progression of Pol II. Here we find that knockout of JMJD5 leads to accumulation of nucleosomes at position +1. Absence of JMJD5 also results in loss of or lowered transcription of a large number of genes. Interestingly, we found that phosphorylation, by CDK9, of Ser2 within two neighboring heptad repeats in the carboxyl-terminal domain of Pol II, together with phosphorylation of Ser5 within the second repeat, HR-Ser2p (1, 2)-Ser5p (2) for short, allows Pol II to bind JMJD5 via engagement of the N-terminal domain of JMJD5. We suggest that these events bring JMJD5 near the nucleosome at position +1, thus allowing JMJD5 to clip histones on this nucleosome, a phenomenon that may contribute to release of Pol II pausing.
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16
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Ólafsson G, Thorpe PH. Polo kinase recruitment via the constitutive centromere-associated network at the kinetochore elevates centromeric RNA. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008990. [PMID: 32810142 PMCID: PMC7455000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetochore, a multi-protein complex assembled on centromeres, is essential to segregate chromosomes during cell division. Deficiencies in kinetochore function can lead to chromosomal instability and aneuploidy-a hallmark of cancer cells. Kinetochore function is controlled by recruitment of regulatory proteins, many of which have been documented, however their function often remains uncharacterized and many are yet to be identified. To identify candidates of kinetochore regulation we used a proteome-wide protein association strategy in budding yeast and detected many proteins that are involved in post-translational modifications such as kinases, phosphatases and histone modifiers. We focused on the Polo-like kinase, Cdc5, and interrogated which cellular components were sensitive to constitutive Cdc5 localization. The kinetochore is particularly sensitive to constitutive Cdc5 kinase activity. Targeting Cdc5 to different kinetochore subcomplexes produced diverse phenotypes, consistent with multiple distinct functions at the kinetochore. We show that targeting Cdc5 to the inner kinetochore, the constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN), increases the levels of centromeric RNA via an SPT4 dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guðjón Ólafsson
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter H. Thorpe
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Dissecting the Pol II transcription cycle and derailing cancer with CDK inhibitors. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:716-724. [PMID: 32572259 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Largely non-overlapping sets of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate cell division and RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription. Here we review the molecular mechanisms by which specific CDKs are thought to act at discrete steps in the transcription cycle and describe the recent emergence of transcriptional CDKs as promising drug targets in cancer. We emphasize recent advances in understanding the transcriptional CDK network that were facilitated by development and deployment of small-molecule inhibitors with increased selectivity for individual CDKs. Unexpectedly, several of these compounds have also shown selectivity in killing cancer cells, despite the seemingly universal involvement of their target CDKs during transcription in all cells. Finally, we describe remaining and emerging challenges in defining functions of individual CDKs in transcription and co-transcriptional processes and in leveraging CDK inhibition for therapeutic purposes.
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Ranjan A, Nguyen VQ, Liu S, Wisniewski J, Kim JM, Tang X, Mizuguchi G, Elalaoui E, Nickels TJ, Jou V, English BP, Zheng Q, Luk E, Lavis LD, Lionnet T, Wu C. Live-cell single particle imaging reveals the role of RNA polymerase II in histone H2A.Z eviction. eLife 2020; 9:e55667. [PMID: 32338606 PMCID: PMC7259955 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The H2A.Z histone variant, a genome-wide hallmark of permissive chromatin, is enriched near transcription start sites in all eukaryotes. H2A.Z is deposited by the SWR1 chromatin remodeler and evicted by unclear mechanisms. We tracked H2A.Z in living yeast at single-molecule resolution, and found that H2A.Z eviction is dependent on RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) and the Kin28/Cdk7 kinase, which phosphorylates Serine 5 of heptapeptide repeats on the carboxy-terminal domain of the largest Pol II subunit Rpb1. These findings link H2A.Z eviction to transcription initiation, promoter escape and early elongation activities of Pol II. Because passage of Pol II through +1 nucleosomes genome-wide would obligate H2A.Z turnover, we propose that global transcription at yeast promoters is responsible for eviction of H2A.Z. Such usage of yeast Pol II suggests a general mechanism coupling eukaryotic transcription to erasure of the H2A.Z epigenetic signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Ranjan
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Vu Q Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Jan Wisniewski
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Jee Min Kim
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Xiaona Tang
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Gaku Mizuguchi
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Ejlal Elalaoui
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Timothy J Nickels
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Vivian Jou
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Brian P English
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Qinsi Zheng
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Ed Luk
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Luke D Lavis
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Timothee Lionnet
- Institute of Systems Genetics, Langone Medical Center, New York UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Carl Wu
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreUnited States
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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19
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Joo YJ, Ficarro SB, Marto JA, Buratowski S. In vitro assembly and proteomic analysis of RNA polymerase II complexes. Methods 2019; 159-160:96-104. [PMID: 30844430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA polymerase II (RNApII) transcription cycle consists of multiple steps involving dozens of protein factors. Here we describe a useful approach to study the dynamics of initiation and early elongation, comprising an in vitro transcription system in which complexes are assembled on immobilized DNA templates and analyzed by quantitative mass spectrometry. This unbiased screening system allows quantitation of RNApII complex components on either naked DNA or chromatin templates. In addition to transcription, the system reproduces co-transcriptional mRNA capping and multiple transcription-related histone modifications. In combination with other biochemical and genetic methods, this approach can provide insights into the mechanistic details of gene expression by RNApII.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jin Joo
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Scott B Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Blais Proteomics Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jarrod A Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Blais Proteomics Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stephen Buratowski
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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